How to pronounce gratuity
Say it like gruh-TOO-uh-tih. Gratuity has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce gratuity. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- gruh
- TOO
- uh
- tih
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Gratuity pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- gruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of gratuity
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: gruh-TYOO-uh-tih.
What does gratuity mean?
- An additional payment given freely as thanks for service.“service gratuity”
- Euphemistic form of fee, in contexts where such additional payments have been made obligatory. How to pronounce fee
- Euphemistic form of bribe. How to pronounce bribe
Where does gratuity come from?
From Middle French gratuité (from Old French gratuite) or directly from Medieval Latin gratuitas (“a free gift”), from Latin gratuitus (“freely given, free”); see gratuitous.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying gratuity
How do you pronounce gratuity?
Say gruh-TOO-uh-tih. The American pronunciation is /ɡrəˈtuətɪ/. In British English it is /ɡrəˈtjuːətɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in gratuity?
Gratuity has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TOO). Broken into parts: gruh · TOO · uh · tih.
Is gratuity pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune). The British form is /ɡrəˈtjuːətɪ/ (gruh-TYOO-uh-tih).